Wouldn’t it be nice to have a place online where British Columbians could share what they’re passionate about in their communities? What are they exploring in their region? What activities and initiatives do they support? How are they strengthening community connections locally? How are they meeting up with their neighbours?

On BCfamily.ca I write about ideas that strengthen our communities and celebrate multiculturalism in British Columbia. My family and I live in the Tri Cities area near Vancouver where we enjoy exploring cultural events, scenic local parks and attending a nature school once a month.

In our communities around British Columbia, some of the most profound and meaningful experiences that we have on our own, and in the company of others, happens as part of cultural, community and outdoors events and ongoing opportunities. Activist events and a growing awareness of the concept of stewardship are part of our larger community experiences. Here in our beautiful and relatively pristine urban and rural settings, the stakes are high as we think about how we can support out communities with a thoughtful approach to the use and protection of our urban and rural environments. In schools and in conversations online, there is a growing concern for how we can make it possible for children to get “back to play” and experience the natural world first hand. In fragile economic times, we need to support arts and community programmes in the face of funding cutbacks.

Connect BC is a new group page on Facebook where British Columbians can connect and share information about events and opportunities focussed on CULTURE, strengthening COMMUNITIES and CONNECTING to Nature. This group page is an extension of the local, Canadian and international information that is shared on the BCFamily.ca page on Facebook.

On Facebook group pages posts are presented in a continuous stream of information, with the most recently amended post moving to the top position. In an effort to improve the functionality of this group page and to match information by topics, there are five zones where members can leave content:

1. Community (two versions; Lower Mainland & BC)

2. Culture (two versions; Lower Mainland & BC)

3. Connecting to nature. (two versions; Lower Mainland & BC)

4. Blog Shares (if group members are writing about these topics online)

5. Connect (a general space for everything else)

Residents in Greater Vancouver don’t always stay in the region and non YVR residents do travel to the Lower Mainland. Creating a space where information about all of the province can be shared makes sense. British Columbians do move around on weekends, business trips and for short and long holidays.

Fabulous feedback early on in the development of the group page has led to a rich list of possible topics to share documents found via the FILES tab. Any member of the group can edit a file and add in their own information. If you haven’t joined a group page on Facebook yet, you’ll want to acquaint yourself with the location of that tab. (Just below the photo header.) In these documents you can contribute information on the following topics:

* FAVOURITE OUTINGS/Lower Mainland

* FAVOURITE OUTINGS/Outside Lower Mainland:BC

* SEASONAL ACTIVITIES/Lower Mainland

* SEASONAL ACTIVITIES/Outside Lower Mainland: BC

* GROUPS/MEET-UPS/CLUBS/Lower Mainland

* GROUPS/MEET-UPS/CLUBS/Outside the Lower Mainland:BC

This group is a fresh, new and a slightly different shift from other BC and Lower Mainland focussed groups on Facebook. If you are not connected to the BCFamily page and the new Connect BC group page, you’re invited to join in on the fun.

In the cacophony of posts, tweets and status updates on the Internet and on social media, the beauty and strength of local happenings and opportunities vie for attention with bigger corporate and not necessarily local interests. Let’s celebrate what we have going on right here in our communities here in British Columbia.

…and don’t forget to tell your friends too!

You can comment about this posting using the comment function below or on the BCFamily.ca Facebook page. Your contribution matters so don’t be shy!

Video description: The SFU Public Square ONE VOICE Music Project is an exciting initiative that harnesses the power of music, media, performance and collaboration to bridge across differences and inspire meaningful connections between (and an appreciation for) our diverse community members. The project includes a music video featuring the internationally-acclaimed song “One Voice’ written by Juno award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter, Ruth Moody.

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